Mesa Planning and Zoning Board to vote on council use permit modification for school expansion

By Connor Van Ligten
Mail

The Mesa Planning and Zoning Board is set to vote on whether to recommend the city council approve a modified council use permit to pave the way for a proposed expansion to a private school at their upcoming meeting.

A study session begins at 3:30 p.m. in the lower council chambers and a meeting at 4 p.m. May 14 in the council chambers at 57 E. First St.

The school in question is Polaris Academy and the expansion site is at the southwest corner of East Hampton Avenue and South Clearview Avenue. The application was made by Nathan Palmer of Polaris Academy on behalf of Polaris Re Holdings LLC. The request is for a modification of a council use permit and a major site plan modification to expand Polaris Academy onto an adjacent parcel.

According to board documents, the expansion would come in the form of a two-story south building for the school. The building would total 18,540 square feet and would have an outdoor play yard to the west.

According to a board presentation, property owners within 1,000 feet were notified and an in-person neighborhood meeting was held but no neighbors attended the meeting or left any comments or concerns.

The seven-member Planning and Zoning Board conducts hearings and make recommendations to the City Council on requests for changes in zoning and on required site plans. It also considers and recommends changes in the city’s long-range plans and in the municipal code concerning planning and zoning matters. Members are appointed for staggered terms of three years.